MANCHESTER – Township officials are moving forward on a $100,000 funding plan to cover the expenses of equipment for the community’s volunteer fire companies.
Some members of the volunteer squad have made public accusations that they are getting forgotten with the introduction of a paid squad, and described how some of their gear is expired or in bad shape.
A second meeting between Mayor Robert Hudak, Council President Craig Wallis, Councilman James Vaccaro, Business Administrator Brandon Umba, the chiefs of the township’s volunteer fire companies and several others was scheduled for November 30. The first meeting was held last month.
Mayor Hudak told The Manchester Times that during the first meeting “we discussed the volunteer fire departments needs and talked about some of the issues raised at the council meeting. It was a very productive meeting and we are going to continue having meetings to keep the line of communications open.”
Business Administrator Brandon Umba explained during a recent council meeting, the introduction of an ordinance appropriating funds was for “various firefighting equipment for various fire departments within Manchester Township. This is in regards to our meetings with fire departments. There are turnout gear issues and other issues that warrant attention. We do have money within our capital improvement fund that we can appropriate without bonding.”
“I don’t expect us to have to use the full $100,000. We are receiving documentation that we have requested from our last meeting (from the fire chiefs),” Umba added. Earlier this year Manchester launched a full-time paid fire department to supplement the services of the volunteer fire companies. This was done due to a decrease in volunteer firefighters and the need to have fire coverage at critical times.
The ordinance 21-43 was introduced and read by Township Clerk Sabina Martin. It was unanimously approved for introduction. A public hearing and vote on this ordinance will be held during the Council’s December 20 meeting, which will be the only meeting of the governing body held that month.
The mayor later thanked the council for its support in introducing that measure.
Also approved during a recent council meeting were two ordinances on final reading. The first concerned appropriating $500,000 for various capital improvements for repairs to the eastern Water Service area in Manchester from the Township’s Water Capital East Improvement Fund.
Umba elaborated saying, “specifically it is for a water main break that was detected and needed to be repaired.”
The second ordinance supplemented a chapter of township code regarding fees which Township Clerk Sabina Martin explained, “this is from my office actually. One is USBs that goes out to the public for OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests and as the costs for USBs fluctuate this ordinance will allow you through a resolution to set those prices for the USBs.”
The council also authorized the insertion for a senior outreach grant and refunds requested by the township tax collector for overpayments.
Also approved was authorization for the purchase of a senior mobility bus. Umba said “this will be purchased with grant money.”
Councilwoman Michele Zolezi said she attended both township Veterans Day ceremonies, the first being one held at Town Hall and a second that was held at Manchester Township High School. She said both ceremonies were well attended and moving and had recognized many local veterans in the community.
“I think it would be great if we could put the two together or do something collaboratively moving forward,” she added.
She also noted her attendance at an awards luncheon at the New Jersey Society of Engineers held at the New Jersey League of Municipalities where Manchester was honored as a recipient of the project management inhouse engineering only category for a parks and recreation rehabilitation program. She said Manchester’s engineer was recognized and they commended other staff members involved in the program.
With the holidays approaching, the councilwoman once again urged residents to shop locally and also reminded residents there were many opportunities “to help others” during the holiday season.
During his report Councilman James Vaccaro noted the work of the organization Food for Thought which provides 850,000 meals per month with the aid of around 3,000 volunteers to individuals in Ocean and Monmouth counties. “Councilman (Sam) Fusaro and I attended a meeting of the Manchester Coordinating Council. The meeting was well attended and very informative. A representative of Food for Thought organization was there and explained their program.”
Vaccaro said that out of the meals provided for those in need 70,000 were for children. He said the program was supported by “general donors and sponsors.”
